Effectiveness of 45 Colt Shotshells versus 410 gauge birdshot on poisonous snakes at 20 feet or less

[doubleh]

I've encountered some pretty good sized rattlesnakes in my lifetime but never have seen one that needed the firepower of a 45 Colt or 410 shotgun. Back in the days when I killed them a 22 RF did the job well if a hoe or shovel wasn't handy. It's not like they are going to run you down and eat you and they can only strike about half their length. Basically if you don't step close enough to one for him to feel threatened he's not going to strike. I have only had one try to bite me and he was working at it diligently because I was standing on him. Luckily he was small and I stepped almost on his head where he was very limited in motion. I jumped back and the snake immediately crawled away from me. We called it a draw and went our separate ways.

Snakes are actually our friends because they excel in rodent control. Cats are good in this department but snakes beat them hands down because they can go where a cat can't. I found a fair sized bullsnake at the range on my last trip. He was part way down a hole probably looking for a meal. I bent down and flicked his tale and he immediately backed out and confronted me. I stuck my foot up in his face and he immediately turned into mostly mouth and hiss like they do. He wasn't intimidated at all by my size. I backed off and let him return to his hole exploring and I went back to shooting.

 

[GooseGestapo]

My home loaded .45colt shot shells hold .4oz of shot. I normally use #9’s.
However, I loaded some with some #6.
Fired from my Yildiz.410 o/u it’s good for gray squirrels to 25yds. (Modified or tighter choke.
I use card over powder and over shot wads. Cut from serial box, however the cardboard from a wine box is even better. (Thicker and stronger).
I used 5.0gr of Bullseye, but have substituted equal weights of RedDot and GreenDot.
I suspect that they would be near equal to a 1/2oz shotshell. But pistol shells will have less recoil, blast, and energy.

 

[farm23]

I try and keep black snakes in my greenhouses and barns for rodent control. Where I live now I don't see many rattlesnakes or copperheads but leave then alone when I come on one. If one was a threat to my bird dogs or grandchildren they would be dead but that has not happened.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I try and keep black snakes in my greenhouses and barns for rodent control. Where I live now I don't see many rattlesnakes or copperheads but leave then alone when I come on one. If one was a threat to my bird dogs or grandchildren they would be dead but that has not happened.

I hear ya Farm23, I have ran across a lot of rattles snakes, copperheads and a whole lot of moccasins. Have never had to kill one. If they are a threat to my dog or any children then yes. But fortunately I have been able to just remove them elsewhere.
In the woods hunting or hiking, fishing etc. Just to easy to avoid or leave alone.

 

[Balrog]

I've encountered some pretty good sized rattlesnakes in my lifetime but never have seen one that needed the firepower of a 45 Colt or 410 shotgun. Back in the days when I killed them a 22 RF did the job well if a hoe or shovel wasn't handy. It's not like they are going to run you down and eat you and they can only strike about half their length. Basically if you don't step close enough to one for him to feel threatened he's not going to strike. I have only had one try to bite me and he was working at it diligently because I was standing on him. Luckily he was small and I stepped almost on his head where he was very limited in motion. I jumped back and the snake immediately crawled away from me. We called it a draw and went our separate ways.

Snakes are actually our friends because they excel in rodent control. Cats are good in this department but snakes beat them hands down because they can go where a cat can't. I found a fair sized bullsnake at the range on my last trip. He was part way down a hole probably looking for a meal. I bent down and flicked his tale and he immediately backed out and confronted me. I stuck my foot up in his face and he immediately turned into mostly mouth and hiss like they do. He wasn't intimidated at all by my size. I backed off and let him return to his hole exploring and I went back to shooting.

I think you are missing the point of not wanting to use a 22. I realize that a 22 has more than enough firepower to kill a snake, and have killed snakes with 22s, but you need to shoot them in the head, and that is a small target. A shot shell makes it considerably easier to hit them.

 

[doubleh]

I think you are missing the point of not wanting to use a 22. I realize that a 22 has more than enough firepower to kill a snake, and have killed snakes with 22s, but you need to shoot them in the head, and that is a small target. A shot shell makes it considerably easier to hit them.

I didn't miss anything. Get close and it's easy.

 

[CDW4ME]

We have a .410 pistol grip Mossberg shotgun (not a pistol, but perhaps my anecdotal observation is relevant).
My wife raises chickens, couple times a chicken has been attacked by opossum or raccoon and is left alive but fatally injured.
At 5-6 feet away .410 birdshot from that pistol grip shotgun is devastating (understatement) & immediately incapacitating (fatal).

 

[scotjute]

I'd use your .410 shotgun over the pistol. I've killed several cotton-mouths with pistol using .38 spl shot loads. Seemed ok if within 10'. Have ran across several large rattlesnakes in last few years and the .38 shot seemed lacking on them. I've switched to 20 gage w/#4's as that is what I usually carry (dog likes to tree coons). This has worked well for me, overkill no doubt.

 

[Balrog]

I didn't miss anything. Get close and it's easy.

Ok, I don't want or intend to get close. So I will stand back a little bit. You must like standing closer to poisonous snakes than me.

 

[Vern56]

Our first year in AZ, I got shot shells for every gun I owned. 22, 38, 44, 45 even 410.
First hot day a diamondback, 3 footer, sat under my chair on the patio. Was afraid of pellets bouncing back and taking out a window. Next handiest thing was a shovel. That did the trick but I would have preferred a longer handle on the shovel

 

[alleyrunner]

I am not someone who wants to shoot every snake he sees, but when I am in the woods in the summer, i generally will kill rattlesnakes and water mocassins that I come across.

For killing snakes at less than 20 feet, how does 45 Colt shotshells from CCI out a Ruger Vaquero compare to a 410 gauge shotshell with bird shot out of a S&W Governor for killing snakes?

hey, Balrog, just whack 'em with a stick if you have to. unless you are just shooting for fun, in which case, a 1911 is handy!